Of course any member should take advice from their own doctor – who can take a " clinical history " ( symptoms ) and examine appropriately ( for " signs " ), then refer as required for tests / further opinions, and treat." Dizziness " is a common symptom, not usually serious, but should be checked out by a doctor.



Aspirin is a very useful and cheap drug. For a far lower dose than that required to ease pain, it may be prescribed for daily use to prevent blood clots. The benefits to people with – or at increased risk from - heart disease or certain types of strokes outweighs the small risk of side-effects ( bleeding / ulcers in stomach, allergy, and others ). For otherwise healthy people, most experts would NOT recommend daily low-dose aspirin.


Please also note – aspirin works by preventing blood clots forming in ARTERIES. It’s narrowing or blockage of arteries to heart or brain or elsewhere which may cause angina, " heart attack ", stroke and other effects of reduced blood flow. ( Pericarditis = inflamed surface of the heart, may be related to a heart attack or infection ).


Aspirin is not thought to be very effective at preventing blood clots in VEINS. For that, anticoagulants like heparin and warfarin are used. Aspirin would not normally be prescribed for " deep venous thrombosis " ( DVT ) – a blood clot forming in a deep leg vein ( which may break off and travel in the bloodstream to the lungs = pulmonary embolism ).


Aspirin is not routinely recommended for prevention of DVTs associated with long haul travel. High risk travellers ( recent surgery ; pregnancy ; previous DVT ; recent severe illness including cancer ) would need to be medically assessed for fitness to travel anyway.


The risk of DVT from travel is small for most travellers. Sensible measures include exercising calf and foot muscles ( walking up and down the aisle of the plane when there’s no turbulence ) ; " CR " breaks when travelling by bus ; drinking enough water and limiting alcohol to prevent dehydration ; and possibly wearing elastic compression stockings.